Zimbabwe 'to arrest land thieves' (Tsvangirai in apparent challenge to Mugabe)

[pampango]

Source: BBC

"This government is aware that most of the ongoing disruptions of agricultural production, which are being done in the name of the land reform process, are actually acts of theft," Mr Tsvangirai told a meeting of diplomats, civic society and business leaders, in one of his first public appearances since the death of his wife in a car crash earlier this month.

"Those continuing to undertake these activities will be arrested and face justice in the courts. I have tasked the minister of home affairs to ensure that all crimes are acted upon and the perpetrators arrested and charged."

However, there are two home affairs ministers in the unity administration, as neither side would cede control of the ministry which is responsible for the police.

Last month, Mr Mugabe said there would be "no going back" on land reform, despite a ruling from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) tribunal last year that the seizures were illegal."

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7968087.stm

---

There are two home affairs ministers. I didn't realize that was part of the power sharing agreement. That should lead to interesting decisions on who controls the police.

Tsvangirai is apparently trying to assert himself and wrestle some real power away from Mugabe. Best of luck, but be careful of traffic "accidents".

[Gator_Matt]

1. He's got nothing to lose now

Tsvangirai is their only hope. He has the sense to know that without any agriculture, the country is doomed. I suppose he is going to confront them head on now that they've murdered his wife, but Mugabe has too many lunatic followers.

[Posteritatis]

2. The power sharing agreement is a joke

Mugabe's family and allies control the state security apparatus and various other big things, while Tsvangirai's people are holding mostly irrelevant postings. Mugabe has the police, the military, foreign affairs, and so on, so for all practical purposes he's got allt he power.

[pampango]

3. Never underestimate ol' Bob, but I wonder if Tsvangirai has a longer term plan here.

Tsvangirai is acting like he really has a share of the power in the Home Office. He must understand Mugabe's hold on the levers of power as well as any of us do, so I wonder what Tsvangirai's reaction and next step will be when his directive about land seizures is ignored - which he must know is coming.

[nomorenomore08]

4. When are they gonna start a Mugabe death watch?

The fucker is like 1000 years old...